Just as the flowers have started to bloom, so have our allergies. The sun beckons us after being cooped up all winter but lurking outdoors are millions of allergens awaiting to attack our nasal passages. Certainly this won’t keep my kids indoors but what can we do?

There are so many medications and many side effects; it is hard figure out how to treat allergies. Let me arm you with my simple  4 step plan that has really helped my family and will hopefully help you too.

Dr. Deb’s Allergy Relief Plan

1. Avoid it

The allergens from trees, flowers and mold trigger an inflammation response in the body that leads to histamine release, followed by sneezing, itchiness then the congestion. Different medicines attack at each level. The first step in the plan is to do is avoid the allergens altogether.

Close the windows, use masks when outside mowing the grass, avoid outdoors during high pollen counts that you can check here. Use plastic covers for pillows and mattresses and clean or change HEPA air filters in your air conditioning frequently.


2. Clean it

The Most Important step is Wash away the allergens!

When you step outside or roll a window down you are literally covered in millions of allergens. No one wants to live in an air conditioned bubble (well maybe some do) so you need to clean all the allergens so they don’t trigger the inflammation in your body.

First take a shower at night and wear fresh clothes washed with warm water. Shower again in the day if you have been working in the yard or feel itchy.

Wash nasal passages with normal saline, 5 squirts in each nostril or the netty pott to power wash the sinuses several times a day, if necessary.

This is probably the most effective thing you can do to avoid the allergy reaction.

Wash your bedding in HOT water.

Endust free is a newer hypoallergenic spray that kills 92% more dust mites and is certified allergen and asthma friendly. Check it our here.

3.Prevent It

Anti-inflammatories:

Hitting nasal passages early, before exposure to the allergen is key. This is the part that will prevent the clog up. It is much more difficult and miserable to treat once your body goes into inflammation mode.

-Steroid nasal spray like triamcinolone Nasacort or fluticasone Flonase, which is by a prescription, should be taken at the beginning of the season or first inkling of symptoms and continued for about 3 weeks. Some allergens will persists anywhere from 8-12 or even 20 weeks so many will take throughout the season. Studies have shown that this is the most effective treatment

-Cromolyn or Nasalcrom is over the counter taken daily will prevent the allergies using cromylyn sodium but must be taken early in the season and used frequently

-Leukotriene inhibitors like Singulair is another anti-inflammatory medication that works and helps reduce inflammation and can be used with other medications.

Antihistamines,

A lot of people go right for the non-sedating antihistamines, which are now over the counter like Fexofenadine and cetrizine. Claratin or Zyrtec

The more traditional ones are Chloreniramine (Chlor-Trimeton or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) cause drowsiness but can make some people hyper.

These work very well with reducing the watery itchy eyes and sneezing but once you get to the deep congestion of the nose then you want to think about the decongestants. This is something you could try when at the first sign of itchiness to prevent the congestion. If you have recurrent problems most doctors like to go for the more preventative therapies like the nasal steroids.

Eye itchiness is a whole other problem that can sometimes be made worse with medication by mouth. Here are some tips for eye care but they often require eye drops from a physician.

4. Dry it

Decongestants

This will only treat the symptom of congestion, not the root cause.

Decongestants will only help with congestion, not watery or itchy eyes or the allergen triggers.

The one that really works for deep congestion to break up the mucus is –Mucinex or Delsym that can be taken along with other medications. It is expensive but it does work. It contains guanefesin in a very high dose.

-Pseudoephedrine SUDAFED or phenylephrine

A word of caution. Pseudoephedrine  SUDAFED and phenylephrine also marketed as SUDAFED PE are two different decongestants.


THE PACKAGING LOOKS THE SAME BUT THE MOST EFFECTIVE ONE, (Pseudoephedrine) MUST BE BOUGHT BEHIND THE COUNTER IN MANY STATES.


Pseudoephedrine in very high doses is used to make crystal meth so it is behind the counter. It can increase blood pressure but it is a very effective decongestant.

-Oxymetazoline or AFRIN, are sprayed directly into the nose and therefore do not cause side effects of the kind oral decongestants do.

However, when used for more than three days, nasal decongestants may cause rebound stuffiness, so they should never be used for more than two to three days at a time.

How do you know if it is a cold or sinus?

Itchiness!!!!

Once you get into deep congestion mode they are very similar and hard to tell what caused it. Many people think they are catching colds and not aware that in fact they have allergies. If they get on the preventative medicines before their allergy strikes, then they can avoid the entire cold congestion thing.

See your doctor if you have fever or teeth and facial pain as you may need an antibiotic. Both can lead to sinus infections that cause pain.

What about fruit allergies and seasonal allergies?

We have seen a rise in fruit allergies that appears to be a cross reaction triggered by the pollen of many trees such as birch, alder, grass and ragweed. It is called Oral Allergy Syndrome causing itchy lips, mouth, tongue and throat. It is mostly caused form uncooked fruits. Often times the fruit allergy will go away if the tree pollen is eliminated. Read more about OAS.

As a last resort some find relief from allergy shots but often time there are too many allergens to receive shots for.

I’ve struggled with allergies for years. I swear by step 2 or clean it. Rinse the allergens away and then I use Nasal Crom at the first hint of itchiness which works well for both me and my children. I hope that you can get out and smell the flowers but don’t forget to rinse it off when you are done!

Blessings,

Dr. Deb

For more information check out another allergy post.